Brake for vehicles.



Patented July 9,1901;

w. H. AnAms. BRAKE FOR VEHICLES.

'(Ag umion filed Sept. 13, 1900,)

(Io Iodol.)

NITE Tarps IVALTER II. ADAMS, OF SOUND BEACH, CONNECTICUT.

BRAKE FOR VEHHCLES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 677,846, dated July 9,1901.

Application filed September 13, 1900- Serial No. 29,917. (No model.)

To (tZZ whom, it nuty concern.-

Be it known that I, IVALTER H. ADAMS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Sound Beach, in the county of I airfield and State ofConnecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Brakesfor Vehicles; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear,and exact description of the invention, such as will enable othersskilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements invehicle-brakes, but more particularly has reference to that class ofsuch devices callec band-brakes.

The object of my invention is to provide a device of this descriptionwhich shall actually wind up the slack of the band from both sides ofthe band-wheel at the same time, so that the slack is not all taken upat one end of the band.

In the accom panying drawings, which form a part of this application,Figures 1 and 2 are views of opposite ends of my improved brake; Fig. 3,a View similar to Fig. 1, but showing a slight modification of myimprovement; and Fig. 4 is a front elevation.

Similar numbers of reference denote like parts in the several figures ofthe drawings.

1 is any suitable circular surface, such as a wheel or hub, whichrevolves in harmony with the vehicle wheel proper or with asprocket-wheel in the event that the vehicle is driven by a chain, as inbicycles and automobiles.

2 is the shaft or axle of the vehicle, around which shaft the wheel 1revolves freely. 3 is a hanger keyed to this shaft, at a rock-shaftjournaled within said hanger at the upper end and extending in closeproximity to the wheel 1, and 5 is a crank-lever keyed to one end of therock-shaft.

6 is a sheet-metal band which extends around the circumference of thewheel 1, one end of this band being passed between the head 7 and thewheel 1 and wrapped around the lower portion of said head for a shortdistance and then secured thereto, the other end of this band beingpassed over the upper portion of said head and wrapped around the samethroughout about half its circumference and in the same direction as theend previously referred to, and then secured to said head diametricallyopposite the firstmention'ed end, so that it will be clear that whensaid head is moved in the direction of will further be evident thatowing to the fact that the ends of the band are wrapped around the head7 the brake can be operated with the utmost case and freedom from unduestrain.

The crank 5 is connected to any suitable brake chain or rod (not shown)whereby the rocking movements of the shaft maybe readily effected.

At Fig. 1 I have shown the hanger 3 keyed rigidly to the shaft 2, so asto afford a proper journal-support for the rock-shaft, and while Iprefer this construction it is clear that this hanger may be loosearound the shaft 2 and may be constructed with a plate 8, formed at theupper end, as shown at Fig. 3, so as to be bolted to the under side ofthe vehicle, and I therefore do not wish to be limited in this respect.

My improved vehicle-brake may be applied to railway-cars, bicycles,automobiles, wagons, and, in fact, to almost any kind of vehicle, and Ihave therefore not shown my im-- provement in connection with anyparticular vehicle, since it is merely necessary that the wheel 1revolve in harmony with the Vehicle'- wheels proper as an element of therunning gear.

The principal feature of my invention resides in the fact that thesheet-metal band has its ends wrapped around the rock-shaft or head inthe same direction, so that the proper movement of the rock shaf t willcause the slack in the band to be taken up at both sides of the wheel.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is*

around said head in the same direction and secured thereto and therebyconstituting the sole means of supporting said band, and a crank-leversecured to the rock-shaft, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two Witnesses.

WALTER H. ADAMS.

Witnesses F. WV. SMITH, J r., M. T. LONGDEN.

